Parent tells Lake Havasu board of unresolved bullying and retaliation in Spirit Line program, asks for independent review

At the Nov. 13 Lake Havasu Unified School District board meeting, parent Sarah Ramos Moe used the public comment period to describe what she called ongoing bullying and retaliatory conduct by Spirit Line coaching staff. She told the board she filed a formal written complaint with the athletic director on Sept. 12 and said she had not received the promised follow-up.

"I submitted a formal written complaint to the athletic director regarding the handling of bullying concerns raised by my daughter and another team captain," Ramos Moe said. She added that her daughter later felt minimized after speaking with the principal and ultimately left the program because she believed the adults responsible failed to take meaningful action.

Ramos Moe asked the board to ensure an independent review of the matter and to reinforce clear expectations for professionalism and student safety across district athletic programs; she said she has documentation to share privately with leadership to support a constructive review.

In response, President David Rose reiterated the district's chain-of-command for complaints, saying issues should first be raised at the school level, then to the district office and superintendent's office before the governing board becomes involved. He stated the board cannot intervene until the matter has progressed through those steps as outlined in district procedures.

The transcript records the allegation, the parent’s request for independent review, and the board chair's statement about the complaint process; there was no formal action, investigation plan, or timeline recorded in the meeting minutes provided in the transcript.

The board did not discuss personnel actions or specific remedies in public session during the meeting. Ramos Moe said she was willing to provide documentation to district leadership but did not present that material during the public comment period.